Try this versatile, simple, healthy recipe tonight. This Crockpot Mexican Chicken Recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and with so many different ways to serve, your whole family will be loving it!
Crockpot Mexican Chicken Recipe
This Crockpot Mexican Chicken recipe is super easy and has great flavor! Full of easy ingredients, a healthy recipe, and perfect for busy weeknights! The great thing about this particular recipe is its versatility. It is one of my favorite Mexican chicken recipes because it can be served in so many different ways. Each person in your family could even choose the specific way they wanted to eat this. Tacos, over rice, a taco salad...so many different ways!
This is an easy recipe that will quickly become one of your favorites, too! A healthy recipe perfect for meal prep, and easy enough to make since you probably have many of these ingredients on hand in your pantry. One of my favorite ways to make this recipe is by creating a bowl with all the toppings. I put the Mexican shredded chicken over rice and add cheese, lettuce, pickled onions, more salsa...anything I am craving. All I need now is some crispy tortilla chips on the side and I'm good to go!
Crockpot Mexican chicken recipe ingredients
Head to the grocery store to collect the simple ingredients you'll need for this recipe:
- chicken breast (I prefer boneless, skinless chicken breasts)
- low sodium taco seasoning
- jar of salsa
- corn
- black beans
- optional toppings: lime, cilantro, cheese
- serve with: rice, lettuce, tortillas, or tortilla chips
How to make a crockpot Mexican chicken recipe
Follow these instructions and you'll be well on your way to some delicious crock pot Mexican chicken!
- Gather all ingredients.
- Add chicken breast, taco seasoning, salsa, corn, and black beans to a crockpot. Mix.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours, until internal temp of the chicken is 165 degrees.
- Take out chicken breast and shred chicken. Place back in the slow cooker. Stir together well.
- Add lime juice, cilantro, and cheese (optional).
- Serve with rice, greens, tortillas, or tortilla chips.
Crockpot Mexican chicken recipe substitution ideas
One thing I love about this healthy recipe is how versatile it is. You could make crockpot chicken tacos, incorporate these into a chicken enchiladas recipe, or just eat as is. The great thing is that you get to choose!
- Low sodium taco seasoning: If you don't have a packet on hand, you can make your own. It is super easy and I love this simple recipe.
- Salsa: Use your favorite salsa! Hot, mild, medium - whichever you like best!
How long does a crockpot Mexican chicken recipe last in the fridge?
This recipe will last up to 5 days in the fridge. For this reason, it is a great option to make on a Sunday afternoon in the crockpot and have your lunches or dinners all ready for the week!
Especially if you have some busy weeknights coming up, think about trying this recipe!
How to meal prep this recipe
You'll definitely want to add this great recipe to your meal planning round up. It is so delicious, and there are so many different ways to serve. I'm talking burrito bowls, tacos, served over rice or lettuce - the possibilities really are endless and all up to you and your preferences!
To meal prep, simply make the recipe according to the instructions. After you shred the chicken and allow it to cool, place in six separate airtight containers and store in the fridge until the next time you're ready to eat some. If you don't have six different containers, you can use one big one and portion the recipe out as you're ready to eat.
Why is my chicken tough after cooking in crockpot?
If your chicken is getting tough in the crockpot, there are a couple of things you can do to troubleshoot this. It could be that you're using too big of a crockpot. You may need to adjust cooktime and/or heat settings based on the size of your crockpot.
Secondly, you may need to add a cup of chicken broth to the crockpot to help keep the chicken from getting too dry during the cooking process. Thirdly, you could try changing the heat setting or cook time. I've had crockpots in the past that run really hot, and cook recipes much quicker than I'd expect. When you get a feel for your specific crockpot, this will help too!
What benefits are there to using a crockpot?
I absolutely love using my crockpot to make our family's meals on busy days. There are positives to using other types of cookware, like a pressure cooker or an instant pot, but I love the ease of putting my meal together in the morning and knowing that it'll be ready to go when dinnertime rolls around. One less thing for me to think about in the afternoon, which tends to be our busiest time of day.
With a cook time of 4-6 hours, you can throw this together and have an easy dinner ready whenever you're set on eating. If you add everything to the crockpot earlier in the morning, after 4-6 hours in the crockpot, check the internal temperature of the chicken. If it has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit, you can change the setting of the crockpot to "warm" and wait to eat and serve until dinner time!
What goes well with a crockpot Mexican chicken recipe
Other classics of Mexican cuisine would go very well with this recipe. I'm thinking corn tortillas, tortilla chips, Mexican rice, green chilies, or cilantro lime rice. You could also use flour tortillas, cheddar cheese, or create burrito bowls with all of your favorite toppings!
For less carbs, try adding some cauliflower rice to the mix or creating a taco salad on a fresh bed of lettuce with some pickled onions. To add some more spice to this slow cooker Mexican chicken, you could add a tablespoon of chili powder, garlic powder, or a couple of chipotle peppers to the crockpot while cooking.
Other delicious crockpot recipes
Try these other delicious recipes from Jordo's World!
- Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken and Rice
- Crockpot Hashbrown Casserole
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice Crockpot Recipe
Crockpot Mexican Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- crockpot
- Measuring Cups
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast raw
- 1 packet low sodium taco seasoning (1 oz)
- 1 jar salsa (16 oz)
- 1 can corn (15 oz, drained)
- 1 can black beans (15 oz, drained and rinsed)
- optional toppings: lime, cilantro, cheese
- serve with: rice, lettuce, tortillas, or tortilla chips
Instructions
- Gather ingredients.
- Add chicken breast, taco seasoning, salsa, corn, and black beans to a crockpot. Mix.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours, until internal temp of the chicken is 165 degrees.
- Take out chicken breast and shred. Place back in the slow cooker. Stir together well.
- Add lime juice, cilantro, and cheese (optional).
- Serve with rice, greens, tortillas, or tortilla chips.
Michelle says
Hi! I’m assuming you add the salsa to the crockpot with the chicken and corn/beans? What kind of salsa do you recommend to keep it from being extra liquid-y? Thank you! Very much appreciate the free access to your recipes!
Jordan Smith says
Hi Michelle, yes, you add the salsa during the same step as the corn and beans. You can use any sort of salsa! I like to use a chunkier salsa but even with salsas with more liquid, I have found the liquid to be absorbed well, especially if making for meal prep and keeping in the fridge overnight. Hope you enjoy this recipe!
Estrella says
Can I use frozen chicken or does it need to be thawed?
Jordan Smith says
Technically you can use frozen chicken, but it's often advised against because of the potential to defrost too quickly and cause a food related illness. I suggest defrosting first!
Deb says
perfect flexible recipe, easy and tasty
Margot Pagano says
Made this last night and it was a hit! Used the Trader Joe's Pepita salsa + a little water since it's a denser salsa and used navy beans instead of black beans, because that's what was in the pantry. "Put it on repeat" was the feedback! Will def add this into our easy post baby meal rotation
Jordan Smith says
Margot, I love hearing all of the swaps you tried for this recipe (and LOVE that you use what you already have in the pantry!) YAY for easy, recipes during postpartum!
Jamee says
So good and easy! We added a block of cream cheese at the end- creamy goodness! We served it on baked potatoes the first night and on rice a few nights later. Will be making this often. Thanks!
laura says
loved it! Meal prepped it last week.
Andria Labato says
Just made this and stuck with the recipe using Trader Joe’s taco seasoning and Pace picante mild salsa. It was a bit spicy and full of flavor, wouldn’t change a thing. Thanks for the easy recipe!
Jordan Smith says
So happy to hear the recipe worked well for you! Thank you for sharing the specific ingredients you used as well — it's helpful for others to hear ideas!
Sherry W says
I always love a good crockpot meal! I made this but did omit the beans(allergic) I added jalapeño and then used this on salad! It was simply delicious and so easy!
Cheyenne Vandegrift says
This is a go to in our family! Love it!
Jennifer Hofmann says
Love this recipe! I double the recipe and use it all week.
Bonny Chavez says
Love this so easy to make different meals from
Ashley W. says
Love a good crock pot meal. And this one is so versatile being able to use it for bowls, tacos, burritos, or nachos